ALLEN & HEATH Xone:32, Руководство пользователя

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20 XONE:32 User Guide
Glossary
The following section is included to help you understand some of the technical terms and jargon referred to with
consoles of this type. It is by no means a complete reference. Please refer to specialist audio publications
should you wish to know more.
Amplitude Another term used for signal level.
Asymmetric EQ An equaliser with a different amount of
cut and boost of the frequency bands. This is used to
restrict the available boost so preventing system overload
while providing extended cut to allow dramatic
performance effects by ‘killing’ selected frequencies.
Attenuate Reduce the signal level.
Aux Auxiliary. An independent mix derived from the
channels for various functions. This can be set pre
(before) or post (after) the channel fader. Pre-fade sends
are often used for foldback monitor feeds. Post-fade
sends are often used for sampler, reverb and other effects,
zone and special recording feeds.
Balanced, Unbalanced Refers to the type of input or
output signal connection. An unbalanced connection has
two signal carrying conductors, one of which is the cable
shield. A balanced connection has three conductors, two
for signal and a shield which is connected to earth.
Because the signal conductors are at the same impedance
and of opposite polarity they are better able to cancel and
therefore reject interference and noise pickup. It is
standard practice to use balanced connections for long
cable runs, for example to amplifiers, or cables carrying
sensitive or low level signals, for example microphones.
Bandpass (BPF) A filter with a bell-shaped response for
attenuation of frequencies either side of the centre
frequency.
Beat Mixing Using the variable pitch controls on
turntables/CD players to synchronise the rhythm track of
two separate songs, so that the beat remains constant
when smoothly cross-fading from one to the other.
Bi-amping Providing separate amplifiers to drive the high
and low frequency units in a loudspeaker. This requires a
crossover processor that splits the frequency band into low
and high. Bi-amping usually produces a cleaner and more
controllable sound in larger systems.
BPM Beats Per Minute. The measurement of the
rhythmic beat or tempo of the music.
Booth The area, often enclosed, where the DJ operates.
Usually provided with local booth monitor loudspeakers.
Cardioid The response of a microphone which is more
sensitive in front than behind. This is generally used for
vocal miking to reduce acoustic feedback.
Cut Mixing Moving the cross-fade control sharply from
one side to the other, to either pick out a sound, a hi-hat,
kick drum etc, or to drop straight into another record. Also
known as chopping.
Cartridge The pickup in a turntable. Uses a needle to
pick up vibrations from the record (vinyl) and convert this
to electrical signals that feed the console. The cartridge is
usually fitted to a removable headshell that plugs into the
turntable arm.
Clipping The harsh distorted sound that results when the
signal hits the maximum level possible. This is set by the
power rail voltage. Above this there is simply no more
voltage available so the signal is ‘clipped’.
Compact Disc (CD) Well established stereo player
using digitally mastered pre-recorded flat discs. Becoming
popular with DJs as a replacement or alternative to vinyl
mixing. Recordable CDs are now available.
Contour The term used to describe the ‘law’ of a fader,
how quickly it responds as it is moved, or the amount of
fade per unit of movement. The contour control
associated with a crossfader lets the DJ tailor its response
to suit the preferred mixing style.
Crossfader A short horizontally mounted fader for
smoothly fading one music track in while fading the other
out. Often used by the DJ for cutting and layering sounds
while mixing.
Cue A monitor system provided for the DJ or console
operator to check individual channel signals using
headphones while lining up tracks ready to introduce into
the mix. This does not affect the main console outputs.
DAT Digital Audio Tape. A type of digital 2 track recorder
that uses a small tape cartridge to produce high quality
recordings in a compact format.
dB Decibel. The unit of measurement for audio signal
level. This is logarithmic to follow the response of the
human ear. ‘dB’ is a relative measurement to compare
one level with another, for example gain from input to
output. ‘dBu’ is an absolute measurement referenced to a
voltage standard where 0dBu = 0.775V rms. The console
main outputs operate at 0dBu = ‘0’ reading on the meters.
'’dBV’ is a similar measurement but refers to a 1V
standard. It is common for consumer equipment to
operate a the ‘low’ standard of –10dBV (316mV). ‘dBA’
refers to sound pressure level and is measured using the
‘A’ scale that ‘hears’ in the same way as the human ear.
DJ Disc Jockey. The console operator sequencing and
playing the music tracks. Some simply play the tracks,
others talk over with introductions and announcements,
and others provide an entertaining performance by mixing
and shaping sounds to create a completely different
musical experience.
DRS™ Digital Recall System. Unique to Allen & Heath
this provides user programmable memories for instant
recall of favourite settings.
Drum Machine An electronic drum simulator as used by
keyboard players and in electronic music. This now
provides another DJ tool to create an alternative beat to
mix in with the music.
Dynamic Range The difference expressed in dB
between the highest and lowest signal levels possible.
This is limited by the clipping level and residual noise floor
respectively.
Earth Also known as ‘ground’. The term for the
electronic signal reference. This connects to the mains
supply earth point and all cable shields and conductive
equipment cases. It provides the return for the signal
voltage within the equipment. It also ensures operator
safety by removing the possibility of electric shock should
the mains voltage touch any metal part.
Earth (ground) Loop The result when the equipment
sees more than one path to the system earth. Current
flows because a resistive loop susceptible to radio and
mains interference is formed. In severe cases this can
result in audible hum or buzz in the system. Breaking the